TAIZHOU, China — Does eliminating classroom overcrowding really lead to better grades? For years, the thought has been that smaller class sizes are better for students and their grades. However, surprising research finds that reducing class sizes in schools does not necessarily bolster the academic resilience of children from low-income families. Chinese researchers analyzed data…

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ALBANY, N.Y. — Baby boomers learned to “duck and cover” during the Cold War in case of a nuclear attack, but in 2024, the new threat to students seems much more real — gun violence. As mass shootings in the United States continue to plague the country, educators must make tough decisions regarding how to…

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Are schools which put too much emphasis on grades putting teachers in danger? A troubling new study finds that schools which place higher focus on test scores and bottom-line results instead of student learning are more likely to see children use violence against their teachers. Conducted by researchers, including Professor Eric Anderman from…

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KUOPIO, Finland — While some students naturally prefer subjects like math and science over history or literature, generally speaking, it isn’t a stretch to say that plenty of young minds would prefer not to spend their time on fractions, square roots, and long division. Now, interesting new research finds that most young children actually enjoy math…

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Teachers across the country are grappling with whether to view AI tools like ChatGPT as friend or foe in the classroom. My research shows that the answer isn’t always simple. It can be both. Teaching students to be creative thinkers rather than rely on AI for answers is the key to answering this question. That’s…

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NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — School can serve as much more than just a place to learn for countless children. Scientists from Rutgers University have found that Black adolescents with a stronger sense of community at their schools tend to display lower levels of aggression and depression up to six years later. Study authors explain that…

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LOS ANGELES — School policies requiring students testing positive for COVID-19 to stay home for at least five days are still quite sufficient, new research reveals. Study authors from the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and Stanford University report students infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 were only infectious for an…

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NEW YORK — Does your kid read a lot? A new study suggests they’re likely happier, more physically active, have a more active imagination, and even problem-solve better than kids who rarely or never read. The poll of 1,500 American parents and 500 K–6 teachers revealed that 91 percent of children between five and 12…

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BOCA RATON, Fla. — For as long as there have been schools, there have been “popular” students. It’s a tale as old as time; the pretty girls get all the attention and the jocks (star athletes) sit at the popular table. Interestingly, despite the U.S. educational system undergoing numerous changes since the 1960s, researchers from Florida…

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NEW YORK — Everyone learns differently, which is why teachers are looking for new creative methods to reach every student. However, seven in 10 high school teachers agree that a one-size-fits-all education, with the same curriculum and teaching methods for all students, is a thing of the past. The traditional classroom model seems to require…

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When national student test scores revealed recently that knowledge of U.S. history and civics had reached an all-time low, one Republican lawmaker described the drop as an “outright failure that should concern every parent across the country.” The test scores showed that 86% of America’s eighth graders were not proficient in U.S. history, and 79%…

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MEDFORD, Mass. — Today’s school lunches are actually much healthier than what older generations had to eat decades ago. Even so, recent data reveals that as many as one in four U.S. lunches still have poor nutritional quality. What can be done? Scientists at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University…

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URBANA, Ill. — The “MIND diet” was originally created to help older adults stave off dementia and keep their minds sharp. A new study, however, reveals that this approach to eating can also help young students find their focus. Researchers at the University of Illinois say the MIND diet may promote improved attention among pre-adolescents. What…

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COLUMBIA, Mo. — For years, educators have had a challenge finding ways to support students with developmental disorders such as autism and Down syndrome. Teachers try to strike a balance between giving them enough resources without taking away autonomy and keeping them engaged in classes and following directions. Now, a new app may help students…

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NEW YORK — Two in three teachers miss their classroom during the summer, according to a new survey of 1,000 parents of kids between five and 17 and 1,000 K-12 educators. However, it’s not just teachers, the research suggests 58 percent of parents are looking forward to the 2023-2024 school year, and 66 percent are anticipating…

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SANTIAGO, Chile — Board games like Monopoly and Othello can enhance young children’s mathematical abilities, according to a new study. Prior research has established that playing games can contribute to learning and development, including reading and literacy skills. However, this study discovered that, among children between three and nine years-old, number-based games can significantly bolster their…

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SERIK, Turkey — Incorporating music into math lessons can lead to better grades for children, a new study reveals. Researchers in Turkey say that listening to music makes learning math more enjoyable, maintains student engagement, and helps alleviate fears or anxieties associated with the subject. This could potentially increase motivation, leading to a greater appreciation…

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IRVINE, Calif. — The secret to creating brilliant scientists may be brilliant parenting. New research reveals high-quality child care can significantly enhance a child’s grades in mathematics and science. The research explains that children who received both emotional warmth and cognitive stimulation from their caregivers performed better in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.…

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CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom — So-called “smart” drugs, commonly used by students, might actually impair cognitive function, according to a new study. Researchers in the United Kingdom say drugs such as Ritalin, a common prescription medication for individuals with ADHD to enhance their concentration and cognitive performance, are often abused by students without the disorder. In…

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KYOTO, Japan — A healthy back-and-forth, or flow of communication, between teacher and students is essential to the learning process. However, new research out of Japan suggests teachers may want to choose their words very carefully. Researchers say phrases as simple as “isn’t it?” or “right?” could potentially leave certain students searching for answers and…

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ATHENS, Ga. — Going to college and graduating is a dream many teens have, but a growing portion of modern high school students say attending college just isn’t realistic for them. Researchers from the University of Georgia report that the vast majority of high school juniors (85%) want to attend college after graduating — but…

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NEW YORK — More than two-thirds of parents (70%) believe that their child is experiencing more burnout than they are. A new survey of 2,000 parents of school-aged children finds that 66 percent of parents believe their child comes home with a “low mental battery” after school and half of them noticed some sort of signs…

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — One in four students may be abusing stimulants in certain American schools, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Michigan say more of these young users are in middle schools and high schools where many pupils have prescriptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Unauthorized ADHD drug use…

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Two out of five schoolchildren have experienced learning loss over the past few years – and parents are worried that teacher shortages might be the cause, according to new research. A recent survey asked 1,500 parents to comment on the current state of their local school district, finding that 71 percent believe their child’s education…

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BOSTON —  Sleep experts want to set the record straight on the importance of teens establishing a healthy nighttime routine, while debunking some common myths. A survey of parents and guardians led by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital reveals that over two-thirds hold incorrect assumptions regarding the safety of melatonin supplements, the ineffectiveness of…

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When the company OpenAI launched its new artificial intelligence program, ChatGPT, in late 2022, educators began to worry. ChatGPT could generate text that seemed like a human wrote it. How could teachers detect whether students were using language generated by an AI chatbot to cheat on a writing assignment? As a linguist who studies the…

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COLCHESTER, United Kingdom — Growing up, most students encounter a wide variety of teaching styles and personalities in the classroom. Some teachers tend to be pushovers, while others can strike fear in their students with nothing more than a glance. Interesting new research, however, makes a strong case for all teachers to take a kinder approach.…

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TRONDHEIM, Norway — A child’s birthday may reveal how likely they are to take ADHD medication. A new study finds the youngest children in school — meaning that they’re born later in the calendar year — are significantly more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis and start taking prescription drugs. Researcher Christine Strand Bachmann from the…

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ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — Children occasionally picking up an illness at school is nothing new, but a new survey has found that this trend may be reaching a concerning level in 2022. A new poll finds that nearly half of parents say their children have already been sick this school year. The survey of more than…

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — An early start time may lead to elementary school students getting less sleep, but it has little to no effect on their educational outcomes, according to a new study. What’s more, researchers say the effects of sleep deprivation are less harmful to elementary school students than middle or high school students.…

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NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Chemicals such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from common household products have become a human hazard. Now, researchers from the University of Notre Dame finds school-aged children are at risk of exposure to these dangerous “forever” chemicals. Specifically, the study found high PFAS levels on school uniforms sold in North…

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NEW YORK — Teachers make such an impact on us that six in 10 parents claim they can still name every teacher from their childhood (62%), according to a new survey. The study of 2,000 American parents of children under 18 examined respondents’ early childhood education memories and reveals that three in four parents credit their former…

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COLUMBIA, Mo. — The stereotypical bully usually threatens smaller classmates with physical violence, but researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia find the most common variety of bullying is actually much more subtle. Their study finds “relational aggression” bullying is a much more common issue. This variety of bullying usually involves socially excluding peers from group activities…

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NEW YORK — Maybe having iPads and computers become a regular part of the classroom isn’t the best idea after all. Kids who write their notes by hand may get higher grades than their peers, according to new research A recent poll asked 2,000 parents whether or not they’ve noticed a preference for digital or analog studying…

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NEW YORK — Compared to last year, everyone’s feeling less stressed about the new school year this fall – but parents are a lot more confident than teachers. That’s according to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans, 1,000 of whom work as K-12 teachers and 1,000 who are parents to school-age children. Overall, the poll shows that…

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SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State has two new scorpions on its list of species, all thanks to a pair of high school students! Hailing from the Bay Area and the California Academy of Sciences, Harper Forbes and Prakrit Jain made their headline-worthy discoveries while browsing thousands of observations uploaded to the community science platform iNaturalist…

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BOSTON — College is supposed to be the best time in many students’ lives. From making lifelong friends to creating new experiences, college is the time to explore and find yourself before going out into the “real world.” However, researchers from Boston University reveal that the mental health of college students is getting worse. Their…

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NEW YORK — It’s back-to-school time and that means millions of college kids will be heading back to campus to focus on their future. Interestingly, almost three-quarters of Americans believe college isn’t just about academia — it also teaches important life lessons. That’s according to a new poll of 2,000 adults, which revealed 73 percent agree that…

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BOCA RATON, Fla. — Few people understand us quite as well as our oldest friends, but new research suggests children may not have total control over the bonds they form during elementary school. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University say assigned seats go a long way toward determining children’s friendships. Specifically, study authors say friendships reflect…

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LONDON — Children born through the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) appear to perform better in school than those born through natural conception. However, the new study by researchers at University College London also found that IVF children are more prone to anxiety and depression in their teenage years. Scientists looked at the records…

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NEW YORK — Children should be having much more fun in school, according to eight in 10 parents. A recent survey of 1,000 parents with school-aged kids (K–12) found that 80 percent say their children either dislike school or are bored at school. More than half the poll (57%) attributed this sentiment to challenging material that makes…

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ATHENS, Ga. — Troubling new research reports that 75 percent of American teens aren’t getting enough exercise. Notably, researchers from the University of Georgia say lack of exercise is especially common among teen girls. On a more positive note, study authors add that a student’s school environment can go a long way toward fostering more physical…

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DAVIS, Calif. — Subjects like math, biology, and history come easier to some students than others. Now, researchers from the University of California-Davis report that teaching struggling students early on that their intelligence is malleable goes a long way toward improving their grades. In other words, struggling students need to really believe that, if they study…

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TURKU, Finland — Horrific gun violence in schools continues to be an ongoing problem in America, but a new study finds children around the globe are fearing for their safety as well. Researchers from Finland’s University of Turku have found that one in three adolescents say they feel unsafe in their own school. Overall, their survey…

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BARCELONA — Children who attend schools near noisy roads are more likely to be slower learners, according to new research. Scientists say loud traffic harms working memory — a ‘mental sketchpad’ essential for retaining information. Memory isn’t the only area of cognitive development to suffer. The study shows noisy roadways also have a detrimental affect on…

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MUNICH, Germany — What happens on the playing field may influence academic outcomes more than most assume. Physically fit primary school students generally feel better, find it easier to concentrate, and enjoy an overall higher quality of life than their less active peers, according to researchers from the Technical University of Munich. Study authors add that…

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BRISTOL, United Kingdom — Scientists have created a “breathing” cushion that can actually help young people ease their anxiety. Researchers from the University of Bristol say hugging the cushion relieved the symptoms of stress in students before taking major tests. It was effective as meditation techniques, offering hope of settling young people down who may…

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CHICHESTER, United Kingdom — Anxiety is a feeling we’ve all experienced to varying degrees. Some wrestle with persistent anxious feelings on a nearly constant basis, while others may only feel jittery during particularly stressful moments. Now, however, new research from the University of Chichester reports undergraduate university students dealing with social anxiety are more likely struggle…

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PROVO, Utah — A little bit of culture can go a long way academically for students, according to a new study. Researchers from Brigham Young University, Johns Hopkins University, and the Heritage Foundation say culturally enriching field trips, such as class excursions to local science museums or art venues, lead to better grades, superior in-class performance,…

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MELBOURNE, Australia — School is supposed to help children and adolescents develop into healthy, well-rounded, resilient individuals equipped with the knowledge they need to navigate adult life. But, do modern curriculums and available extra-curricular activities fully achieve that goal? According to new research from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), the answer to that question is…

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